Closure for receptacles



N O R A B s c CLOSURE FOR RECEPTACLES Filed April 26, 1957 Cfiarie .5? 66110714 Patented Mar. 1 1938 CLOSURE 2,110,058 FOR RECEPTACLES 'TPATENT OFFICE Charles 'S. Baron, Tiffim-Ohio nape-(immunities, 1937', Serial No. 139,039 6 Claims. (01. *31) The present invention'relatesto a new and im-' proved closure or' cap for liquid receptacles, V, I-Ieretofore it has been customary to provide: a liquid receptacle, such as a syrup pitcher or the like, with a round neck having a fiat horizontally disposed lip, and associated with the re ceptacle a top provided with a curved or ewer shaped lip, and connecting the collar or band portionof the top to the neck by a cement binder or by meansflsuch as shown inmy Patent No. 949,053, dated February 15, 1910. This type of cover, while efiicient and attractive, has been found so expensive to produce, due to the number of separate operations which have to be performed, as to render its manufacture on a profitable commercial" scale practically prohibitive. j Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a cover for receptacles such as glass pitchers and the like, which is inexpensive to make and is easily applied, and which gives a pleasing and attractive appearance to the receptacle with which it is associated,

A further object consists in combining with a.r'eceptacle such as a glass pitcher having a curved" or ewer-shaped lip, a closure formed with anarcuate shaped yieldable clamp member or band arranged detachably to engage the recepta'cle below the ewer lip, and to provide means rpr firmly maintaining the arcuate band in a relatively fixed position when the closureis applied to the receptacle. In other words, instead of providing the receptacle with a flat lip, such a shown in my Patents No. 1,145,641, July 6, 1915, and No.1,195,434, August 22, 1916, the mouth of the glass pitcher is formed with an integralewerlip having a medially disposed pouring spout for directly discharging the liquid from the pitcher. I

1 Another object is to provide a removable cover for a receptacle, said cover having an arcuate spring clamp; anda lid hinged to the inside of the clampto conceal the same, as contrasted to having the hinge exposed as shown in my two foregoing-patents. The lid is shaped to conform :to the glass ewer lip on the receptacle and coacts therewith to' provide a pleasing and attractive closure for controlling the discharge of the liquid. Another object consists in providing an improved'hinge structure for connecting the lid tothe spring clamp.

Qtherobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawing.

Referring to the drawing in which are shown several preferred embodiments, the invention may assume; 5

Figure 1 is a side View of the upper portion of a receptacle showing a closure connected thereto in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the closure removed. I c

Figure 3 is a vertical central sectional view of the top of the receptacle and the closure.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the yieldable clamp member for the closure with parts broken away for clearness of illustration.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the closure.

Figure 6 is ,a plan view of the metallic blank from which the band or clamping member is formed;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional View of the hinge connection of the lid with the yieldable clamp.

Figure 8 is a perspective view oi a modified form of spring clamp for connecting the closure to the receptacle.

Referring to the drawing in, which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, H3 designates a liquid receptacle such as a glass pitcher, which may constitute a container for molasses or syrup and which is preferably formed with a reduced neck or collar H and a handle l2. The neck II has a reduced curved or arcuate shaped portion H on its outer surface which extends more than half-way around the periphery of the neck and which may be provided with a rib or bead M. The upper edge of the reduced or counter-sunk portion I3 is formed medially between its ends with a notch or recess I 5 for a purpose which will subsequently be described.

The remaining portion of the neck extends upwardly and outwardly above the reduced or retaining portion-l3 and 'to' one side thereof to form the curved or ewer-shaped lip IS. The opposite sides of the lip l6 converge and are flared outwardly and downwardly to provide a medially disposed pouring spout l7 opposite the handle l2 and above and to one side of the reduced portion l3. The upper sides of the lip lS overlap or extend a limited distance over the adjacent edges of the reduced portion I3 to form the shoulders 18.

Associated with the receptacle ID is a removable closure I 9 having anarcuate shaped spring clampmember or band 20' which may be provided with a circumferentially disposed; corrugation'or groove 2|. The band 20 is of the same 55' length and width as the reduced portion l3 and fits therein so as to be substantially flush with the adjacent lip portion of the neck. The rib M registers with the groove 2| and acts to retain the band on the neck. The ends or shoulders 22 of the reduced portion I3 constitute abutments for the adjacent ends of the band to prevent rotative movement of the latter when it is applied to the neck. The shoulders or overlapped portions I8 coact with the rib l4 and a lower shoulder 23 formed at the junctureof the receptacle with the neck, to prevent vertical sliding movement of the band when attached to the clamp retaining portion l3.

The band 20 is preferably formed from a blank of thin flexible sheet metal 24, having its end portions 25 of substantially the same width as the reduced portion l3 of the neck. A. medial projection 25 extends from one side of the blank and is joined to the adjacent ends 25 by the curved or widened portions 21. The outer edge of the projection 26 may have a notch 28, the purpose of which will subsequently be described. The arcuate or split ring member 20 when initially formed is slightly smaller than the portion [3 of the neck, so that when forced thereon, it will exert sufiicient pressure yieldably to engage the neck, and thus constitute a spring clamp which may readily be applied or removed from the receptacle. The projection 26 isturned or rolled inwardly of the band 20 to provide a bead or housing 29 (Figure 4) which constitute the fixed member of a hinge. A lid 30 has its forward portion shaped to conform to the curvature of the ewer lip l6 and is provided with an upwardly flared or bulged portion 3| which extends outwardly over the band. A thumb piece 32 may be connected to the lid in any suitable manner and is positioned adjacent the handle l2 so as to be conveniently operated for raising the lid. As shown the thumb piece has a pair of flexible depending diverging wings 33 extending through complementary formed openings 34 in the lid 30 (Figure The shape of one of the wings 33 prior to its being bent into a head is shown in dotted lines, in Figure 3. A hingemember in the form of a rod 35, is secured to the underside of the lid by bending the wings 33 thereover, thus avoiding the use of solder or other heating means for assembling the parts. The rod 35 has spaced substantially parallel arms 36 which are bent inwardly at their ends to form the opposed pintles 31 which extend into the adjacent ends of the bead or housing 29 to provide a hinged connection of the lid 30with the clamp 20. A coil. spring 38 is positioned within the bead 29 and encircles the pintles 31. One end 39 of the spring 381 is of such a length as to extend over and around the adjacent arm 36 so as to be secured thereto as at .40 (Figure '7). The opposite end portion 4| of the spring extends through the notch 28 and is bent over on the outer surface of the head 29 as at 42 to prevent this end of the spring from slipping out of place and also insures the spring being maintained at its initial tension.

When the parts are applied, the recess IS in the reduced portion I3 is shaped to receive the bead or housing 29 to permit the unobstructed movement of the lid relative to the neck H and the band 20. It will be noted that the. edge of the bulge portion 3| of the lid normally extends slightly beyond the band so as to engage the outer side thereof, for limiting the upward movement of the lid when the latter is raised rela-.

tive to the lip l6. Normally the connection 0 the spring 38 with the lid through the hinge member 35 acts to maintain the lid in proper closed position and in engagement with the upper edge of the neck and lip so that when the lid is raised by the depression of the thumb piece 32, the spring will cause the lid to be returned to its closed position upon the pressure being released from the thumb piece.

Instead of providing the reduced portion I3 of the neck with a retaining rib l4 and the band 20 with a combined reinforcing and retaining corrugation or groove 2| as previously described,

' the fitter part or curved portion 13 may have a smooth outer surface and the arcuate shaped yieldable member may be formed with a plain band 43, as shown in Figure 8. Additionally, the bead or housing 44 may omit the use of the notch 28 for holding the end of the spring. When the plain segmental band 43 is substituted for a corrugated band, and is applied to the uncorrugated reduced or clamp receiving portion of the neck, the ends of the band will abut the shoulders 22 to, prevent relative rotative movement of the band while the overlapped portions l8 of the lip will coact with the lower shoulder portion 23 to preclude any upward or downward movement of the band and thus provide means, for insuring the band being maintained in a .relatively fixed position. The hinge member 35'and the spring 38are connected to the housing 44 in the same manner as they are attached to the housing 29. However, instead of the end portion 4| of the spring passing through the notch 28, the bead 44 is pressed downwardly against the end of the spring so as to hold it securely in place, thus preventing the spring from slipping or its tension becoming loose when subjected to constant usage.

While Figure 8 shows the use of a plain segmental band and the notch in the bead omitted, it will be manifest that either or both of these parts maybe substituted for the equivalent means shown in Figurev 4. v

It will be seen that by reason of the present invention, the pitcher I0 is provided with a curved or ewer-shaped lip l6 having an outwardly and downwardly curved pouring spout I'l formed of the same material as the pitcher and located above the clampreceiving portion of the neck, as contrasted to a flat horizontally disposed glass lip as heretofore made. Moreover, the spring clamp and lid of the closure are attached to the neck so that the lid is shaped to coact with the raised glass ewer lip on the pitcher instead of forming the metallic closure with the ewer lip, and applying the same to a fiat straight lip or mouth on the receptacle. -While the neck H is shown with a reduced portion [3 to receive the segmental clamp 20, it will be manifest that the neck need not be reduced to receive the clamp and may be provided with spaced means such as projecting beads or shoulders which would coact with the overlapped portions l8 and the lower shoulder 23 to firmly but releasably maintain the segmental band in a fixed position on the receptacle. For the purpose of illustration, the liquid receptacle has been shown as a glass pitcher having a ewer-shaped lip which is associated with the closure I9 to providean'eificient, sanitary and attractive syrup or molasses container and closure therefor. Obviously, the receptacle and its ewer-shaped lip may be formed of any suitable transparent or opaque material depending upon the use to which the receptacle is tobe applied.

As the closure is releasably connected to the having one end engaging one receptacle by the spring clamp member, access may be had to the receptacle to fill the same upon the removal of the closure. Moreover, when the parts are disassembled, both the closure and the receptacle may be thoroughly cleaned to maintain them in a sanitary condition. When the closure is applied, it is shaped to conform to the neck and lip, and as the hinge member is positioned on the inside of the spring clamp, the exposed parts give a neat and attractive appearance to the receptacle.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described, are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments, and that such changes may be made as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a receptacle having a reduced neck, a handle extending outwardly from the side of the receptacle, said neck having its outer surface provided with a reduced portion and an'upwardly and outwardly curved portion extending above the reduced portion to provide a ewer-shaped lip having a medially disposed spout, said closure having an arcuate yieldable clamp engaging the reduced portioh, said clamp being provided with a medially disposed inturned bead, a lid'having a hinged member secured to the underside thereof and provided with spaced arms extending into the bead to form a hinged connection of the lid with the clamp, a coil spring of the arms and its opposite end bent to engage the outer surface of the bead, said spring acting normally to maintain the lid in engagement with the top of the receptacle, and a thumb piece on the lid adjacent the handle.

2. In combination with the neck of a receptacle, a closure connected to the receptacle, said neck having its outer surface provided with a reduced portion and an upwardly and outwardly curved portion to provide a ewer-shaped lip, said lip having a medially disposed spout, said closure having an arcuate yieldable clamp engaging the reduced portion, said clamp having a medially disposed housing extending inwardly thereof, said housing having a notch therein adjacent one of its ends, a lid shaped to conform with the ewershaped lip, a hinge member connected to the underside of the lid, said hinge member having spaced arms bent inwardly to form pintles extending into the ends of the housing a coil spring within the housing and encircling the pintles, said spring having one end secured to one of the pintles and its opposite end portion extending through said notch and engaging the outer surface of the housing whereby to maintain the spring under proper tension in the housing, said spring normally maintaining the lid in engagement with the lip and the neck, and a thumb piece for raising the lid.

3. In combination with the neck of a receptacle, a closure connected to the receptacle, said neck having its outer surface provided with a reduced portion and an upwardly and outwardly curved portion to provide a ewer-shaped lip, said reduced portion having a medially disposed recess formed in its upper edge, said closure having an arcuate yieldable band engaging the reduced portion, said band having a housing extending inwardly thereof and fitting into said recess, a lip shaped to conform with the top of the receptacle, a member connected to the underside of the lid and having arms extending into the housing to provide a hinged connection of the lid with the clamp, a spring within the housing connected at one end to said member for normally maintaining the lid against the top of the receptacle, and a thumb piece connected to the lid for raising the latter relative to the receptacle.

4. A closure for receptacles having an arcuate yieldable clamp provided on one side with a medially disposed extension bent inwardly to form a housing, said housing having a notch adjacent one end thereof, a lid having a pintle member secured to its underside and extending into said housing to provide a hinged connection, and a coil spring within the housing for normally maintaining the lid in engagement with the clamp, one end of the spring extending outwardly of the housing and secured to the pintle member and the opposite end of the spring extending through said notch and bent outwardly over the housing whereby to maintain the spring under proper tension and in a relatively fixed position within the housing.

5. In combination with the neck of a receptacle, a closure connected to the receptacle, said neck having its outer surface provided with a countersunk portion extending more than half-way around the neck and with a portion having an upwardly and outwardly curved lip, the opposite sides of the lip portion having extensions above the ends of the countersunk portion, an arcuate yieldable clamp engaging the countersunk portion and said extensions so as to be releasably maintained in a relatively fixed position on the neck, a lid shaped to conform with the lip, and hinged means connecting the lid to the clamp.

6. In combination with a neck of a receptacle, a closure connected to the receptacle, said neck having its outer surface provided with a countersunk portion extending more than half-way around the neck and with a portion having an upwardly and outwardly curved lip, the opposite sides of the lip portion having extensions above the ends of the countersunk portion, saidcountersunk portion having a circumferentially disposed outer rib, an arcuate yieldable clamp engaging the countersunk portion and having a curved groove engaging said rib, the extensions on the neck coacting with the end walls of the countersunk portion and said rib releasably to maintain the clamp in a relatively fixed position on the neck, a lid shaped to conform with the lip, and hinged means connecting the lid to the clamp.

CHARLES S. BARON. 

